Song of the Day: Yeasayer – Henrietta

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s selection, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Henrietta” by Yeasayer from the 2012 album Fragrant World on Secretly Canadian.

The first single from their forthcoming third album, Fragrant World, “Henrietta” is Yeasayer’s first release since the 2011 End Blood EP. Anchored by a steady beat and a heavy groove, “Henrietta” has a more direct and engaging approach than Yeasayer’s past work, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost any of their trademark intricately psychedelia. Shifting synths and rumbling bass resonate as singer Chris Keating sings in a hurried whisper in between a series of dazzling synth breaks, but halfway through the song, the song changes pace. As the momentum shifts gears, Keating’s moans of “Oh Henrietta / We can live on forever” give the song a brief reprise before the groove returns to create a fusion containing the best elements of both movements. Perhaps as much of a natural progression from Odd Blood‘s admitted pop explorations as it is a revisit to the band’s early rhythm-centered experiments, “Henrietta” shows the band’s growth in both areas, resulting in a more accessible, but never watered down, return for the Brookyln collective.

Fragrant World isn’t released until August 20th, but the band are already well into its supporting tour. They’ll be playing the Neptune Theatre in Seattle on August 30th, with additional dates in Portland and Vancouver on the 29th and 31st respectively. There’s sure to be further touring and releases during this album cycle, so be sure to keep an eye on their website and Facebook page to keep up to date. In the meantime, watch the official vignette for “Henrietta” below.